“A winner by any standard” is any young person who wants to grow to his or her potential as an individual. Winners have goals and dreams and don’t back down from a challenge. Winners also maintain perspective on what’s important in life…on ideals like standing for something, enjoying each day, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact on the world.

To be clear, being “a winner by any standard” does not mean you have to try to be perfect. It simply means you’re working to become a better person—even in small ways. As an old saying explains: There’s no nobility in being superior to others; true nobility is in being superior to your previous self...